§ Mr. A. SHAWasked the Secretary of State for India what measures it is proposed to take for the better conservation of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Megna 454W group of waterways; whether any despatch has been received from the Government of India on the subject; and what, reply has been sent?
§ Mr. MONTAGU:I have been in correspondence with the Government of India on the subject, and agree with their view that, for the present at any rate, it is not desirable to form either a Government Waterways Board for all India or a Trust for the management of waterways in Bengal, Bihar and Assam. But I hope for useful results from the formation of a separate Public Works Branch in Bengal to superintend navigation, irrigation and drainage, and from the enlargement of the Bengal Waterways Committee. I have also drawn special attention to the desirability of considering schemes for improving existing waterways, where direct revenue returns cannot always be expected, from the point of view of their effect on the trade and the general prosperity of the areas affected.